Balboa Bay Resort Finishes Room Upgrade, Opens Bar nineteen48

Newport Beach real estate developments and local industry contests are generating activity in Orange County this week. The primary focus is on the physical changes at a historic waterfront property and the academic competitions shaping future urban planning in the region.

Balboa Bay Resort has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guest areas and public spaces. The project involved updating 159 guestrooms and 10 suites. The work also covered the lobby and the associated bar area.

Cindy Racco, the managing director of the resort and club, stated that the project is a milestone in the property's evolution. She said the changes redefine the arrival, stay, and gathering experience for visitors.

DesignAgency led the project using three guiding principles: modern glamour, laid-back charm, and an evolved haven. The guestrooms now feature new furnishings, improved lighting, and integrated technology. Guests will use Frette bed linens and Nespresso coffee makers. Suites include L'Occitane bath products and Dyson hairdryers.

The resort's bar has been renamed Bar nineteen48. The name references the founding year of the Balboa Bay Club, which launched in 1948 as a private meeting space for boaters and the local social set. It opened to the general public in 2004. The new bar draws on mid-century Southern California amber tones. Executive Chef Diego Bernal provides light bites and bar snacks alongside classic cocktails.

In Torrance, the CREDA SoCal UCLA vs. USC Real Estate Challenge concludes on Nov. 19. Two teams of five graduate students are competing to design the best use for the 30-acre Civic Center site. The site includes City Hall, a municipal pool, a cultural arts center, a library, and the police department.

The teams are tied at 14 wins apiece for the Silver Shovel trophy. One team represents the Ziman Institute of Real Estate and Urban Economics at UCLA's Anderson School of Business. The other team represents the Lusk Center at USC's Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy. Richard Ziman, co-founder of Rexford Industrial Realty, and Wilbur H. Smith III, owner of Greenlaw Partners, serve as honorary coaches.

The city of Torrance is seeking to revitalize the Civic Center by consolidating public uses and developing the remaining land. CREDA SoCal, an industry association with 1,200 members in Southern California, selected this site for the annual contest. The student teams will present their proposals at an event on UCLA's campus.

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is running its 16th annual Movember campaign under the name Game Time 2026. The group has raised more than $429,000 for the cause since 2011. Ed Hanley, president of the company, cited his father's death from prostate cancer in 2009 as the inspiration for their ongoing mission.

Movember participants start the month of Nov. 1 clean-shaven and grow mustaches throughout the month. The organization funds research, early detection, and community programs for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Since its founding in 2003, Movember has raised more than $1.5 billion globally to fund over 1,320 projects in 20 countries.